A Nexus of Diversity
A Summa Digest of Garissa County
Garissa County shares borders with Somalia to the east, Lamu County to the south and Wajir to the north. Along its western border flows Tana River that provides a vital lifeline for both farming and to the local communities. The landscape is, by and large, semi-arid, influencing its socio-economic dynamics. Garissa County is primarily inhabited by the Somali, with the majority belonging to the Ogaden clan.
This cultural homogeneity has contributed to a strong sense of identity and shared traditions among the residents. Somali language, widely spoken in the county, has sway on cultural practices such as traditional dances, storytelling and festivals, that play a crucial role its society. Sadly, alike many regions along international borders, it has faced security challenges over the years, yet, the story of Garissa County is one of resilience, rich culture and touring potential. Efforts to address these concerns are ongoing. Persisting peace in the region is opening up its circuit.
While it remains relatively obscure to mainstream travellers, it offers exceptional beauty and cultural significance. The notion that venturing to Garissa County is only for the bold, strong-minded and intransigent intrepid is slowly changing. Indeed, the budding hospitality in Garissa town is a great indication that it is turning a new leaf. The town of Garissa, the county’s capital, has been a hub for cross-border trade, fostering economic interactions with neighboring countries.
And, by the same token, the proximity of Garissa town to Lamu Island makes it ideal for linkage through to the Northern Frontier. What is more, the fascinating and rich traditional culture of the Somali community, who inhabit Garissa, offers one of the greatest cultural extravaganza found in Kenya. Relatively untravelled in Kenya’s touring circuit, it offers a chance to explore the Somalis eternal existence somewhere out beyond the black stump – a unique and memorable experience.
For the most parts, Garissa is a flat and low-lying country without hills, valleys and mountains – a vast featureless plain sloping south and southeast from an altitude of about 300 ms to sea level near Kiunga in Lamu – making communication easy and extraordinarily scenic. Away from the heat, it is a photogenic destination, often overlooked. A deeper appreciation for the diversity and beauty of Kenya. Much of the economy is based around cattle but, there is little water to go around.
This means that conflict habitually revolves around disputes over water and land for pasture. Although Garissa County remains poor, when outside investment and development has reached it, there has been a strong inclination for growth. Lamu Port-South Sudan-Ethiopia Transport, LAPSSET Corridor, passing through Garissa town, is set to change how it is perceived. Garissa is easy to reach from Nairobi.
From Nairobi you reach Garissa along the A3 Road through Thika and Mwingi towns, running across the northern portions of Kitui and Tana River Counties. The A3 international trunk toad forms the primary line of communication to its capital town of Garissa, 369 km away, on its path to Somalia. Extending from Thika to the Somalia border, The A3 road is paved all the way to Modika, from where it rolls out as an unpaved roadway to the border. Owing to the comparatively low rainfall and to the indigenous practice of overgrazing with both cattle and goats, the floral profile beyond Thika is mainly of the thick thorn-bush type with scanty grassland.
Around Mwingi, where the road crosses the River Kanginga, the ground slopes away eastwards with a few low-lying hills. Rising noticeably above the plain are three small hills: Endau (4,387 ft), Engamba (3,100 ft) and Kandelongwe (1,570 ft). Down the road this featureless plain, on which are wide-spaced valleys and isolated inselbergs, continues east and north-east until Garissa town is reached, situated on the western border. Relatively close to Kenya’s capital Nairobi, this region feels far-off and secluded. It is no longer remote, but travellers are rare.
As you near Garissa town, large tree, like Acacia, are sighted along the drainage ways. What is opulent, on a great extent, is shrub and grasslands spreading out in unbroken patches of tens of kilometres at a time. This supports a sizeable amount of wildlife. Almost all its parks have abundant game but, because of the rareness of vehicles, the wildlife is shy. Except for Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary found near Garissa town, its other national parks, reserves and wildlife sanctuaries – Rahole, Arawale, Ishaqbini Hirola, Boni and Badana – are far flung in the outlying areas.
The unprejudiced intrepid will find that Garissa town serves as a great jumping-off place to explore its wildlife reserves. From Garissa town, the A3 Road swings east through Dadaab to Liboi near the Somalia border. The B9 Isiolo-Mandera Road crosses its northern area from Garba Tula to Habaswein. But the road north from Habaswein is untarmacked and patchy. On this desolate and poorly signed road, trailing east, one could easily stumble unawares across the border into Somalia.
Salient Features of Garissa County
- County Number 07
- Area – 44174 km2
- Altitude – 20 to 400 ms
- Major Towns – Garissa, Masalani, Hulugho
- Borders – Lamu, Tana River, Isiolo, Wajir, Somalia
Touring Garissa County offers a unique blend of cultural immersion, natural beauty, and opportunities to explore the traditional way of life in northeastern Kenya, unchanged since the days of yore. It’s a chance to experience authentic Somali culture and hospitality while enjoying the serene beauty of northeastern.
You Are Here: Garissa County
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations in Garissa County
A Guide to Garissa County
A Summa Digest of Garissa
About Garissa Way Back When
18 Destinations in Garissa County, arranged as one would visit these - west, north, east then south - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
River Tana, Almond Resort, Suuq Mugdi Market, Jamia Mosque Garissa, Garissa Culture and Heritage Center, Garissa Giraffe Centre, Garissa Solar Power Plant, Bour-Algi Giraffe Sanctuary, Rahole National Reserve, Merti Plains, River Ewaso Nyiro, Lorian Swamp, Dadaab Camp, Arawale National Reserve, Ishaqbini Hirola Community Conservancy, Lake Ishaqbini, Boni Forest National Reserve, Lag Badana Reserve
Know More About Garissa County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
What’s The Air Like In Garissa?
Temperatures are generally high throughout the year in Garissa, ranging from 20oC to a high of 38oC. The average temperature is 36oC. February is the hottest month of year.
What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.07 ?
The vast Garissa County is basically flat and low-lying without notable hills, valleys and mountains. It rises from a low altitude of 200 to 400 ms
Abiri Kenya 